Composite weldable panel with embedded devices

Abstract

A weldable hybrid composite panel suitable for forming a container includes a four sided composite panel element wherein each side defines a side edge. The composite panel element is formed of fibrous reinforcement layers encased in a resin matrix. Weldable metallic elongated edge elements extend along and are either fixed to the side edges of an outside surface of the panel element or extend from a periphery of the panel element. Each of the weldable elongated edge elements has a profile that is the same as a profile of its respective side edge and is structured to enable the composite panel to be welded at its peripheral edges. The panel element also includes a sensor system embedded therein.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A weldable hybrid composite panel suitable for forming a container, the panel comprising:
 a four sided composite panel element, each side defining a side edge, the composite panel element being formed of fibrous reinforcement layers encased in a resin matrix; and 
 weldable metallic elongated edge elements extending along and one of fixed to the side edges of an outside surface of the panel element and extending from a periphery of the panel element, each of the weldable elongated edge elements having a profile that is the same as a profile of its respective side edge; 
 wherein the weldable elongated edge elements are structured to enable the composite panel to be welded at its peripheral edges; and 
 wherein the panel element includes a sensor system embedded therein. 
 
     
     
       2. The weldable hybrid composite panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor system includes an array of optical fibers. 
     
     
       3. The weldable hybrid composite panel according to  claim 2 , wherein the array of optical fibers includes at least one fiber extending between two ends thereof, and arranged in a serpentine configuration. 
     
     
       4. The weldable hybrid composite panel according to  claim 3 , wherein the sensor system further includes an optical signal generator coupled to the one end for generating the optical signal and an optical signal detector coupled to the other end for detecting the optical signal. 
     
     
       5. The weldable hybrid composite panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor system includes an array of electrical conductors. 
     
     
       6. The weldable hybrid composite panel according to  claim 5 , wherein the array of electrical conductors includes at least one electrical conductor extending between two ends thereof and arranged in a serpentine configuration. 
     
     
       7. The weldable hybrid composite panel according to  claim 6 , wherein the serpentine configuration includes at least one resistive bypass path interconnecting two points along the serpentine configuration. 
     
     
       8. The weldable hybrid composite panel according to  claim 6 , wherein the sensor system includes an electrical signal generator coupled to the one end for generating the electrical signal and an electrical signal detector coupled to the other end for detecting an electrical signal. 
     
     
       9. A plurality of the weldable hybrid composite panel according to  claim 5 , wherein the arrays of electrical conductors in adjacent ones of the weldable hybrid composite panels are electrically connected. 
     
     
       10. The plurality of weldable hybrid composite panels according to  claim 9 , wherein the arrays of electrical conductors in adjacent ones of the weldable hybrid composite panels are electrically connected by a jumper attached to a portion of each adjacent weldable hybrid composite panel.